How do you the impress the woman who has
seen everything? Magician Ben Hanlin swallows a dozen needles during
trick for Kim Kardashian

It could have been a hard task to find a way to entertain a woman as well-travellled and as world-famous as Kim Kardashian.

But magician Ben Hanlin had a few tricks up his sleeve when it came to impressing the reality star during MailOnline’s exclusive party in Cannes, France, on Wednesday evening.

The British star left Kim awe-struck by swallowing a dozen needles and a piece of thread… only to spectacularly bring them back up tied together.

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Making an impression: Ban Hanlin met Kim Kardashian and performed several tricks for her at the MailOnline party in Cannes

Speaking about the experience of performing for the mother-of-one, Ben said: ‘It was really cool. She is someone who obviously people all around the world know who she is and for me it’s really good to take my type of magic, which is slightly quirky and sometimes slightly British humour-based, and see how she dealt with it.

‘I don’t think it was quite what she was expecting – I don’t think she was expecting me to swallow a dozen needles!

‘I wanted to show her something she hadn’t seen up close before. She’s probably seen card tricks, she’s probably seen those kind of things, so I wanted to show her something she would remember which was taking a dozen needles, taking some thread – making her check in my mouth that is was gone.’

Embracing the unexpected: Ben didn't want to do card tricks as he was sure Kim would have seen them before, so he opted to swallow a dozen needles instead

Watch out Kanye: Ben joked that Kim checked his mouth for needles taking rather longer than was necessary

He joked: ‘Some would say she looked a bit too long in my mouth – Kanye be worried. And then I pull them all out and they are all tied together.’

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Discussing her reaction Ben added: ‘I think her reaction was a mixture of impressed and slightly scared for her own safety, but that’s how you want them.’

Following the performance, Ben revealed
that an amazed Kim kept asking how he did it, although he of course
kept his cards close to chest, even if it was Kim.

Warm welcome: Fans and the paparazzi gathered to catch a glimpse of the world-famous reality star as she made her appearance in Cannes, France

Summing up the experience he said: ‘She was really good and I think she really appreciated it.

‘It’s
nice because she’s a woman who goes around the world and sees things on
a daily basis, which most people don’t even dream of, so how do you
impress her, how do you impress someone who has been everywhere and done
everything?

'So to be able to spend five minutes with her and do something she was impressed with was quite nice.’

Raising a glass: Attending the MailOnline party, Kim revealed that she loves the website and has it bookmarked on her phone and computer

Firm friends: The star took best pal Jonathan Cheban as her plus one to the exclusive MailOnline yacht party

The exclusive event, on board a yacht in Canes, was attended by a selection of VIP guests and high-profile executives.

Paul Steketee, Head Of Paid Social and Emerging Media at Merkle, was one of the VIPs on board the yacht.

Of meeting star guest Kim Kardashian, he said: 'I complimented her on dress, and said cheers to her recent wedding with her.

'It was good to get the opportunity to give them a toast.'

In terms of the Cannes Lions festival, he said: 'Cannes has been lovely, I've met a lot of good people, and a lot of good partners and had some great business discussions.'

And speaking about MailOnline's expansion into America, he added: 'MailOnline is doing great - and I like what you guys do; you're more up with the real time speed of news.